First time, which cruiseline

[crow3232]

thanks a lot for the suggestions and taking the time to reply, i appreciate it. Ill have to check airfares too..not on AA..USair though..very bad experience..ill stick to SW probably if i go out of FL and if Baltimore Ill drive. food, drink and age range would influence us, along w beaches, pools, casinos, shows.

[serene56]

thanks a lot for the suggestions and taking the time to reply, i appreciate it. Ill have to check airfares too..not on AA..USair though..very bad experience..ill stick to SW probably if i go out of FL and if Baltimore Ill drive. food, drink and age range would influence us, along w beaches, pools, casinos, shows.

 

 

IF flying-- you go the day before and stay at a hotel close to port.

You want to arrive relaxed and refreshed for the first day onboard.

 

IF flying-- you want your return flight to be after 12:00 (but depending on where the cruise is from (FLL I can take a 11:15 from there

[euroclydon]

we sailed in April 2014 on Freedom of the Seas was a great experience originally booked a Grand suite waited till 6 days before and upgraded to a Royal family suite for just a few hundred dollars more this can often be done as the give free up grades the last 4 days to pinnacle and diamond members we are going to try something new going on carnival Breeze in 18 days hope the experience is as welcome as all the Royal Caribbean ones.

[serene56]

we sailed in April 2014 on Freedom of the Seas was a great experience originally booked a Grand suite waited till 6 days before and upgraded to a Royal family suite for just a few hundred dollars more this can often be done as the give free up grades the last 4 days to pinnacle and diamond members we are going to try something new going on carnival Breeze in 18 days hope the experience is as welcome as all the Royal Caribbean ones.

 

 

Carnival does not upgrade at the pier-- IF rooms are left over the upgrade fairy starts calling and asking people if they want to upgrade-- for a fee of course. The ship will be totally sold out about 2 weeks before the cruise.

 

Matt is your cruise director-- awesome hands on CD

[zoncom]

So it sounds like SW to FLL, then CCL. One thing about Carnival; they keep some really old, marginal ships past their prime. I have even seen them rename them. Big new ones have all the amenities you want at same pricing. These 5Ners (usually the older ships), end up as booze cruises for drunken locals.You would also spend more ship time going to/ from port and only see marginal Bahamas ports on shortie cruises.Not a good intro to cruising. Lowest priced weeks are week after Thanksgiving, First 10-14 days of Dec. and Early Jan. Usually great weather too.Do some research, google discount cruise agencies for good pricing.

[Cruisin' Chick]

While we agree that Kauai is a gorgeous island with some spectacular beaches, it is interesting that you reference the island that is seldom visited by cruise ships (a majority of cruises stopping in Hawaii call at Honolulu, Maui (Lahaina), and one or two ports on the Big Island).

 

Having explored both Hawaii and the Caribbean (we like both) we do think that it is generally a lot easier to find a great beach in the Caribbean then in Hawaii. We also find snorkeling generally a better option in the Caribbean. But you sure can't beat Hawaii if you want to surf :)

 

Hank

 

As far as I know every Hawaiian cruise on Princess includes stopping at Nawiliwili on Kauai. All three of my Hawaiian cruises did so.

[crow3232]

maybe a few nights at WDW for the Food and Wine fest and Halloween..then a few nights cruise from Pt Canaveral, Miami etc...hmmmm. i see that the short cruises seem to have the older less favored ships